Southern Pearly Eye (Enodia portlandia)

Another butterfly sighting off the end of Anthony Shoals Road in the Broad River Wildlife Management Area in Wilkes County, Georgia. In mid-May, we saw this Southern Pearly Eye (Enodia portlandia) in a Sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) near the clearing along the trail in the woods. I haven’t seen a Southern Pearly Eye since I photographed one in our woods in 2009. I’ve only seen these butterflies in deciduous woods and deep in the woods rather than at their margins..

The Southern Pearly Eye is one of two Enodia species found in Georgia. The other species which occurs throughout Georgia is the Creole Pearly Eye (Enodia creola). The underside of the wing of the Creole Pearly Eye has a slightly blue cast compared with the Southern Pearly Eye.
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Identification resources:
Westcentral Georgia Butterflies by Michael Beohm:
- Southern Pearly Eye (Enodia portlandia)
- Creole Pearly Eye (Enodia creola)
BugGuide:
- Southern Pearly Eye (Enodia portlandia)
- Creole Pearly Eye (Enodia creola)

Related post:
- Southern Pearly-Eye (Enodia portlandia)